Concentric tube releasable clasp



Jan. 9, 1968 J. J. M CARTHY 3,362,050

CONCENTRIC TUBE RELEASABLE CLASP 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April l5, 1966INVENTOR. John J; McCa t-thy Jan. 9, 1968 CCART Y 3,362,050

CONCENTRIC TUBE RELEASABLE CLASP 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 15, 1966INVENTOR.

John J- McCarthy United States Patent O CONQENTRIC TUBE RELEASABLE CLASPJohn J. McCarthy, Weston, Conn., assignor to Norco, Inc., Ridgefield,Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Apr. 15, 1966, Ser. No.542,938 9 Claims. (Cl. 24-230) This invention relates to releasableclasps, and more particularly to clasps having tubular parts.

Objects of the invention are to provide a novel and improved releasableclasp characterized by a plug-like configu'ration having telescopictubular members presenting a divergent mouth structure for receiving acooperable bar, which members at one and the same time are simple andeconomical to produce while being sturdy and reliable in operation; toprovide such a clasp, wherein the components are easily and quicklyassembled, which is readily understood and operated even by relativelyunskilled personnel, is fool proof and not likely to malfunction orrequire servicing, is resistant to shock and vibration, and wherein theseparable members may be easily and quickly latched together or elsereleased as desired.

Other .features andadvantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one form of pluglike claspstructure as provided by the invention, and also a'sectional view of acooperable structure, both being in separated relation.

FIG. 2 is a right end elevational view of the plug-like clasp structure,referring to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view like that of FIG. 1, but with the structures beingbrought into initial contact with each other during the fasteningoperation.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to those of FIGS. 1 and 3, showing a furtherstep in the fastening of the plug-like structure to the cooperablestructure.

FIG. 5 is also a similar view, showing the final fastened positions ofthe structures.

FIG. 6 is an elevational-sectional view of a plug-like clasp andcooperable structure, illustrating a modification of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an axila sectional view of a plug-like clasp and cooperablestructure, illustrating yet another modification of the invention.

FIG. 8 is an elevational-sectional view of a plug-like clasp andcooperable structure, constituting yet another modification of theinvention.

Considering first FIGS. 15, the present improved releasable clasp isshown as comprising a plug-like configuration designated generally bythe numeral 10, said configuration being characterized by inner andouter telescopic tubular members 12 and 14 respectively, havingcorresponding (right) end portions which present a fishmouth ordivergent mouth structure adapted to receive a diametric bar 16 of acooperable structural member, the latter being designated generally bythe numeral 18. The telescopic or concentric, tubular plug-likeconfiguration 10 comprises a manually operable and releasable clasp,whereas the structure 18 (which is also hereinafter referred to as areceiver structure) is not operable for releasing purposes.

The assemblage 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-5 in the process of beingattached to the receiver structure 18 by the mere act of advancing theplug-like structure onto the receiver structure, with the advancing orleft-to-right force being applied to the inner tubular member 12. Theinner and outer members 12, 14 are relatively axially movable frompositions illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5 wherein the member 14 isadvanced, to positions illustrated in FIG. 4 wherein the member 14 is ina retracted position. The outer tubular member 14 is also hereinPatented Jan. 9, 1968 ice termed a locking and release sleeve or collar,since it must be actuated to effect release of the diametric pin 16 whenthe latter is held captive as in FIG. 5.

A loose sliding fit is provided between the inner and outer tubes 12,14; also, the outer tube 14 is preferably provided with an outward flare20 at its left end, to constitute a convenient finger grip by which itmay be grasped and pulled from right to left, to effect release of thediametric bar 16.

The inner tube 12 has a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinallyextending slots 22 through which there passes a cross pin 24 rigidlyatfixed in the release sleeve 14. In the inner tube 12 there is ahelical compression spring 26.which engages the cross pin 24 and alsoengages a second cross pin 28 rigidly afiixed to the shank or bodyportion of the tube 12. Thus, the release sleeve 14 is biased to theright, to the locking positions of FIGS. 1 and 5, being .normallyyieldably held in such positions and being retractable to the positionof FIG. 4 either by force exerted by the'fingers of the user or else, asshown in FIGS. 3 and 4, by force exerted on it by the diametric pin 16.

It will be understood that the inner tube 12 may be carried by astructure (not shown) which is to be releasably connected with anotherstructure (not shown) on which the receiver part 18 is mounted. In FIGS.1-5, the receiver part 18 is shown as comprising a pair of spaced arms30 which rigidly carry the diametric bar 16, the latter extendingbetween the arms 30.

In accordance with the present invention, the plug-like claspconfiguration 10 is constituted essentially of two concentric,telescopic tubular members and such members "are' 'soj' organized at onepair of corresponding ends (the right ends as viewed in the figures) asto present a divergent' mouth or fish-mouth structure which isdesignated generally by the numeral 32, for engagement by and receptionof the diametric bar 16. This entry or mouth structure 32 is arranged toguide the bar 16 to its center or smallest portion, and such mouthstructure is constituted of a pair of diametrically opposite notches 34only one of which is seen in the figures for the reason that the otheris directly behind the visible or front notch and has an identical shapethereto.

Each of the notches 34 is characterized by divergent edges 36, 38 whichare adapted for engagement by the diametric bar 16. It will beunderstood that, by virtue of the members 12, 14 being tubular, thedivergent edges 36, 38 will be curved when looking at the end of theplug-like configuration 10, this for example being shown in FIG. 2.

The right end portion of the release sleeve 14 has a pair of straightedges 40, said edges being parallel to the common axis of the tubes. Thecorresponding right end portion of the inner tube 12 has a pair of slots42 (see FIG. 4), said slot-s being characterized by opposite paralleledges 44, 46. The slots 42 extend transversely of the common axis of themembers 12, 14 and communicate with the divergent notches 34, beingadapted also to receive the diametric bar 16 from the notches whenrelative movement of the tubes 12, 14 brings these to the barreceivingposition of FIG. 4.

It will be understood by observing FIG. 5 that the relative positions ofthe tubes 12, 14 in this figure and also in by the numeral 34 constitutean advantageous feature, and represent a distinct advantage in that thedivergent edges 36, 38 are adapted to guide the diametric bar 16 to thecenter or smaller portion of the mouth, whereby the bar thereafter asseen in FIGS. 3 and 4 can exert pressure on the sleeve 14 to retract thesame while simultaneously finding its fully nested position in the slots42, 50. This greatly facilitates the connecting of the clasp parts 10,18 even though the assemblage is constituted of the simplest structuralconfigurations, namely concentric or telescopic tubes one of which isslidable on the other.

With such tubular configuration and particularly with a telescopicassemblage, it can be understood that difficulty might be experienced inquickly and easily bringing together the clasp parts 10, 18. However, byvirtue of the advantageous configuration comprising the divergentnotches 34 and wherein a portion of the retractable sleeve 14 isarranged to be engaged by the diametric bar when the latter is receivedin said notches, there can be effected a surprisingly simple and easyattachment or connection of the structures 10, 18 as is clearlyillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3-5. Further, with such simple tubularmembers 12, 14 and the fish-mouth configuration 34 there is still had apositive retention and locking action by which the diametric bar 16 issecurely held in its captive position as illustrated in FIG. 5, untilintentionally released by a right-to-left movement of the release sleeve14.

I have found that the illustrated configurations of the components maybe economically fabricated and easily and quickly assembled, and thatthey enable an easy and simple securement of the clasp to be effected,while at the same time insuring a positive retention of the assembledclasp parts until these are intentionally released. Further, the releaseof the clasp parts can as well be easily and quickly effected by merelygrasping the flare of the release sleeve 14 and shifting the said sleevefrom right to left, to the position illustrated in FIG. 4. But fewcomponents of extremely simple construction are thus seen to be involvedin the concentric tube assemblage 10, in accordance with the presentinvention.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6. In thisembodiment, the end configurations of the inner and outer tubular claspmembers are exchanged or interchanged, so to speak, as compared with thestructure of FIGS. 1-5. Additionally, the receiver is constituted as asocket-carrying structure having a floating diametric pin.

As shown, the plug-like configuration comprises inner and outer tubularmembers 56, 58 which are relatively axially movable between limits, theinner member 56 having longitudinal slots 60 through which a cross pin62 passes, the pin being rigidly carried by the release collar or sleeve58. A helical extension spring 64 has its ends formed with eyes whichencircle respectively a cross pin 66 of the inner tube 56 and also thecross pin 62, thereby normally biasing the release collar 58 to aleft-most position as shown.

The corresponding juxtaposed right end portions of the members 56, 58are so organized as to present divergent notches 68 at the right end ofthe clasp, said notches having divergent edges 70, 72 and 74. The innermember 56 has a pair of straight edges 76 which, with the edges 74define slots 78.

The release collar 58 has a pair of slots 80 defined by oppositeparallel edges 82, 84, the slots 80 extending transversely of the commonaxis of the tubes and communicating with the divergent notches 68.

In FIG. 6 a receiver part 88 has a socket 90 in which there is disposeda diametric pin 92 which is floating by virtue of being carried in apair of slots 94. With such arrangement, the release sleeve 58 mayslidably fit in the socket 90 without excessive clearance, inasmuch asthe diametric pin 92 because of its floating mounting can accommodateitself to the different positions required for reception in the slots78, 80 of the members 56, 58 respectively.

The releasing action of the clasp of FIG. 6 is the reverse of that ofthe clasp of FIGS. 1-5, in that the release collar 58 is moved fromleft-to-right to effect the release, as distinguished from theright-to-left movement of the release collar 14 previously described.Otherwise, the clasp of FIG. 6 has the various advantages already setforth above in detail.

The attachment of the clasp to the receiver part 88 is effected bypushing on the release collar 58 to shift the latter from left to rightwhile holding the inner tube 56 stationary, whereby the slots 78, willbe cleared for the reception of the floating pin 92. Release of theclasp is effected by merely pulling on the inner tubular member 56 toshift the latter from right to left. This type of action is intended forspecialized applications wherein release is desired by exertion of apull on the inner tubular member, as will be understood.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 7. Here, theclasp comprises inner and outer tubular members 98, biased by a helicalcompression spring 102 and presenting a fish-mouth configurationcomprising divergent notches 104 adapted to receive a diametric bar 106carried by arms 108 of a receiver part 110. The notches 104 havedivergent edges 112, 114 on the inner tubular part 98, and such partalso has a pair of edges 116 which are parallel to the edges 112 andwith the latter form slots 118 extending transversely of the common axisof the tubes. The release sleeve 100 has pairs of parallel straightedges 120, 122 forming slots 124 which extend parallel to the axis ofthe tubes. The slots 118, 124 receive the diametric bar 106 when thelocking and release collar 100 is shifted from the position shown inFIG. 7 to the left, so as to remove the obstruction in the slots 118, aswill be understood. The features and advantages of the preceding formsof the invention are also had with the construction of FIG. 7.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 8. Inthis figure, the receiver part has arms 132 carrying a diametric bar 134which is engageable in divergent notches 136 of a plug assemblage 138.The plug assemblage 138 comprises an inner tubular part 140 and an outertubular part 142, the latter having slots 144 defined by pairs ofparallel edges 146, 148, said slots extending transversely of the commonaxis of the members 140, 142.

The divergent notches 136 are formed by pairs of edges 150, 152 on theinner tubular part 140, said part also having pairs of straight edges154, 156 which define slots 158 extending longitudinally or parallel tothe common axis of the members.

A helical extension spring 160 normally biases the locking collar 142 toa leftmost position as shOWn in FIG. 8, and the releasing position ofthe collar 142 is one attained by shifting the collar to the right fromthe position shown in FIG. 8, as will now be understood.

With this form of the invention, the assemblage of the clasp is effectedby pushing on the release collar 142 to shift the latter from left toright while the inner tube 140 is held stationary, this being similar tothe form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 6.

It will now be seen from the foregoing that I have provided a novel,extremely simple and yet efficient and effective releasable clasp deviceutilizing the simplest of structural forms, namely concentric ortelescopic slidable tube parts having special end configurations bywhich a divergent mouth structure is presented for the reception of adiametric pin. The clasp is sturdy and vibration resistant, and willwithstand considerable rough usage without malfunctioning or requiringservicing.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims,and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

I claim:

1. A concentric-tube releasable clasp comprising, in combination:

(a) a pair of inner and outer, coaxial, telescopically arranged tubeshaving one pair of corresponding end portions located in juxtapositionto each other,

(b) said tubes being relatively movable axially,

(c) said end portions providing an entry mouth structure constituted ofa pair of diametrically opposite notches each characterized by divergentedges adapted for engagement by a diametric bar to guide the bar to thecenter of the mouth structure,

(d) said end portion of the inner tube having at least one pair of saiddivergent edges forming parts of both notches,

(c) said end portion of one of the tubes having a pair of straight edgesparallel to the common axis of the tubes,

(f) said end portion of the other tube having slots characterized byopposite parallel edges,

(g) said slots extending transversely of the common axis of the tubesand communicating with said divergent notches, and being adapted toreceive said diametric bar from the said notches when :relative movementof the tubes brings them to a given relative bar-receiving position,

(h) said tubes having relative locking positions differe nt from saidbar-receiving position, wherein exit from said slots is obstructed bysaid pair of straight edges disposed parallel to the common axis, and

(i) resilient means biasing said tubes to and normally holding the tubesin said locking positions.

2. The invention as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said end portion of said one tube has a second pair of straightedges spaced from the first said pair and parallel thereto,

(b) said two pairs of straight edges defining slots in the said onetube, in which the diametric bar is received and locked.

3. The invention as in claim 2, wherein:

(a) said one tube constitutes the inner of said tubes.

4. The invention as in claim 2, wherein:

(a) said one tube constitutes the outer of said tubes.

5. The invention as in claim 2, wherein:

(a) said other tube has portions disposed in the small part of the mouthstructure and engageable by the diametric bar to enable the latter toshift said other tube with respect to said one tube as the bar is forcedagainst the mouth structure.

6. The invention as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the divergent edges of said notches which constitute the entry mouthstructure comprise portions of both tubes.

7. The invention as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the divergent edges of said notches which constitute the entry mouthstructure comprise portions of one tube.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1958 Kahl 24238 9/1966 Decker24--239 BERNARD A. GELAK, Primary Examiner.

1. A CONCENTRIC-TUBE RELEASABLE CLASP COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) APAIR OF INNER AND OUTER, COAXIAL, TELESCOPICALLY ARRANGED TUBES HAVINGONE PAIR OF CORRESPONDING END PORTIONS LOCATED IN JUXTAPOSITION TO EACHOTHER, (B) SAID TUBES BEING RELATIVELY MOVABLE AXIALLY, (C) SAID ENDPORTIONS PROVIDING AN ENTRY MOUTH STRUCTURE CONSTITUTED OF A PAIR OFDIAMETRICALLY OPPOSITE NOTCHES EACH CHARACTERIZED BY DIVERGENT EDGESADAPTED FOR ENGAGEMENT BY A DIAMETRIC BAR TO GUIDE THE BAR TO THE CENTEROF THE MOUTH STRUCTURE, (D) SAID END PORTION OF THE INNER TUBE HAVING ATLEAST ONE PAIR OF SAID DIVERGENT EDGES FORMING PARTS OF BOTH NOTCHES,(E) SAID END PORTION OF ONE OF THE TUBES HAVING A PAIR OF STRAIGHT EDGESPARALLEL TO THE COMMON AXIS OF THE TUBES, (F) SAID END PORTION OF THEOTHER TUBE HAVING SLOTS CHARACTERIZED BY OPPOSITE PARALLEL EDGES,